Symposium: Learning From The Book Of Kells
Saturday 25 March - Sunday 26 March 2000
Registration and exhibition viewing: 8.30 am Saturday 25 March
Conference: 10.00am - 5.00pm Saturday 25 March and 10.00am-3.00pm Sunday 26 March
Venue: James O. Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia
Registration Fee: $150; Members/ Concessions $120
Telephone: 02 6240 6504

'The Book of Kells is a masterpiece of medieval art - a brilliantly decorated copy of the four Gospels with illustrations of Christ, the Virgin and Child and the Evangelists, and a wealth of smaller decorative painting that does not always relate to the sacred text. The strange imagination displayed in the pages, the impeccable technique and the very fine state of its preservation make it an object of endless fascination.'
Dr Bernard Meehan, Keeper of Manuscripts, Trinity College Library, Dublin

This two day symposium will provide a fascinating and rewarding context for the exhibition The Book of Kells and the Art of Illumination at the National Gallery of Australia from 24 February - 7 May 2000. The exhibition places The Book of Kells within the history of book illumination and examines its significance as an expression of the Christian faith. The Symposium brings leading scholars to explore the iconography of The Book of Kells in the setting of cultural developments in Ireland and Europe.

Speakers include:
Dr Bernard Meehan, Trinity College Library, Dublin
Dr Michael Ryan, The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin
Professor Roger Stalley, Trinity College, Dublin
Emeritas Professor Margaret Manion AO, The University of Melbourne
Dr Joan Barclay Lloyd, La Trobe University, Melbourne
Dr John Gregory, Monash University, Melbourne
Dr Ruth Megaw, Flinders University, Adelaide
Professor Vincent Megaw, Flinders University, Adelaide
Dr Ruth Megaw, Flinders University, Adelaide
Dr Constant Mews, Monash University, Melbourne
Associate Professor Bernard J. Muir, The University of Melbourne
Dr Lynette Olson, University of Sydney
Associate Professor Ann Trindade, The University of Melbourne

Registration Fee: $150; Members/ Concessions $120 includes:
All symposium sessions and weekend entry to the exhibition. Saturday 25 March morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, reception.
Sunday 26 March morning tea, lunch.
Registration and exhibition viewing: 8.30 am
Conference: Saturday 25 March 10.00am -5.00pm
Sunday 26 March 10.00am-3.00 pm
Reception: Saturday 25 March 5.00pm-7.00pm

Obtain your Registration form
by telephoning (02) 6240 6504 or faxing (02) 6240 6529 or emailing Lyn.Brown@nga.gov.au The booking deadline is 23 March and registration is strictly limited to 250 places.

Tours of the exhibition
Sunday 12 March 11.30am Philippa Winn
Sunday 2 April 11.30am Philippa Winn
Sunday 16 April 11.30am David Sequeira

Lunchtime Lectures
Thursday 16 March 12.45pm Introduction to the exhibition with Roy Forward
Thursday 23 March 12.45pm 'The Book of Kells, its sources and impact'
Professor Michael Greenhalgh Australian National University
Friday 24 March 12.45pm Dr Michael Ryan, Director, The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin
Thursday 30 March 12.45pm Introduction to the exhibition with Belinda Cotton
Thursday 6 April 12.45pm 'A fragment of the collection: de' Bonfratelli's Pietà'
Lucina Ward
Thursday 13 April 12.45pm 'The History of Iona' William Scott, teacher of Celtic arts
Thursday 27 April 12.45pm 'Calligraphy and Kells' Gemma Black,
Canberra Calligraphers Guild
Thursday 4 May 12.45pm 'The materials of illumination' Susie Bioletti

Film/Video
Friday 10 March Video 12.45pm The Book of Kells (1990 35min)
Friday 17 March (Saint Patrick's Day) Video 12.45pm The Essential History of Ireland (1970 29min)
Friday 24 March Film 12.45pm The Book of Kells (1970 27min)
Friday 31 March Film 12.45pm Civilisation: The skin of our teeth, featuring Sir Kenneth Clark (1969 50 min)
Friday 7 April Film 12.45pm Bells, Books and Croziers, A study of Irish history from the days of the Vikings
as seen in relics and treasures from the period (1958 28min)
Friday 28 April Film 12.45pm Collectors' Pieces (restoration of books from the British Museum) (1972 15min)
Friday 5 May Film 12.45pm Faith and fear, a survey of the Christian Church during the Middle Ages
(1976 54min)

Public Program

Special Lecture
Tuesday 28 March 6.00pm
'Faith and fantasy: the Golden Age of early Irish Art'
Professor Roger Stalley , Trinity College Dublin
$7; Members $5 (Sign interpreted lecture)
pre-purchased tickets essential

Members Breakfasts
Sunday 12 March 8.00am
Sunday 9 April 8.00am
Sunday 7 May 8.00am
Members $25; Guests $30 includes exhibition entry pre-purchased tickets essential

Special Viewings
Friday 17 March 6.00 - 8.00pm
Saint Patrick's Day Special Viewing Performance by Cassidy's Ceili
Members $20; guests $25 includes refreshments and exhibition entry pre-purchased tickets essential

Thursday 30 March
Lecture and Special Viewing 6.00 - 8.00pm
'The Gospel of Mark as the story of Jesus' Dr Stephen Barton, University of Durham
$25; Members $20 Includes music by Earthly Delights, refreshments and exhibition entry
pre-purchased tickets essential

Thursday 13 April
Special viewing with the Director 6.00 - 8.00 pm
Introductory talk by Director Dr Brian Kennedy.
Members $20; Guests $2 Includes music by Lady's Mantle, refreshments and exhibition entry
pre-purchased tickets essential

Medieval Banquet
Saturday 29 April Members Medieval Banquet with Tyrrell's Wines 7.00pm - 11.00pm
Enjoy a sumptuous medieval banquet with fine wines. $65; Members $55 Includes performance
by vocal ensemble Lady's Mantle and viewing of the exhibition. pre-purchased tickets essential
High Tea
Saturday 25 March 5.15pm - 6.30pm
Music and high tea in the Members lounge $35; Members $25
includes exhibition entry pre-purchased tickets essential

Workshops for children & adults
Sunday 2 April 10.00am - 12.30 pm
Celtic patterns and border design with William Scott
Small Theatre $20; Members $15
pre-purchased tickets essential

Sunday 9 April 10.00am - 4.00pm
Bookbinding with Heather McPhearson, Small Theatre
$50; Members $45 includes materials
pre-purchased tickets essential

Sunday 16 10.00am - 12.30 pm
Celtic patterns panel design with William Scott
Small Theatre $20; Members $15 pre-purchased tickets essential

Wednesday 19 April Children's Holiday Workshop 10.30am - 12.30pm
'Book making inspired by the Book of Kells' with Leanne Crisp (ages 7-12) Small Theatre
$15; members $10 pre-purchased tickets essential

Wednesday 26 April Children's Holiday Workshop 10.30am - 12.30pm
Celtic patterns and designs with Penny Harrison (ages 7-12) Small Theatre
$15; members $10 pre-purchased tickets essential

Sunday 30 April 10.00am - 12.30pm
Calligraphy and Design with Gemma Black, Canberra Calligraphers Guild
Small Theatre $20; Members $15 pre-purchased tickets essential

Free Performances
Sunday 19 March Community Program Performance 2.30pm
Irish music and dance, including Canberra's acclaimed acoustic musicians
Earthly Delights and Fingal's Cave, James O Fairfax Theatre

Sunday 7 May Community Program Performance 2.30pm
Irish Music and dance featuring acclaimed women's vocal ensemble Lady's Mantle